Restriction on condom’s TV ads?

New Delhi: Soon airing of advertisements for condoms may only be allowed during watershed hours (between 10 pm and 6 am) on television after the Advertising Standards Council of India —- the apex self-regulating body of advertising sector — received several complaints regarding a steamy condom commercial featuring actor Sunny Leone.

After receiving a slew of complaints against the popular commercial, the ASCI, in a letter to the Union information and broadcasting ministry, stated that “we suggest that the ministry advise all television channels to ensure that the condom advertisements are aired during the watershed hours — between 10pm and 6am — as these advertisements are meant to be seen only by adults.”

Interestingly, the ASCI’s Consumer Complaints Council reviewed the complaints regarding the TV commercial at the instance of Maharashtra State Commission for Women, sources stated.

Explaining the process, ASCI secretary-general Shweta Purandare stated that as a self-regulatory body the ASCI can not issue a directive to private companies. “The ASCI seeks the advise of the Union I&B ministry in this regard,” she added.

It is understood that the ASCI has sought the advise of I&B ministry on the issue of adult content in such commercials being broadcast on television during non water shed hours. The step comes after the ASCI received several complaints from viewers asking that the advertisement was offensive and had adult content.

The CCC further recommended that for the objects regarding the viewing hours of the above TVC or for channels that it should be aired on, the complainant should be asked to approach the I&B ministry as this matter is not in ASCI’s purview, sources added.